It's a painting, but the paint is chopped-up tiny pieces of HAIR. Think that's gross? In the year 1790, this was pretty standard for jewelry. Vellum, hair, and sepia (that's cuttlefish ink, FYI) were used - and not considered yucky - in miniatures like this. Zoom in to the foreground of this churchyard scene - that's either a little dog or lamb!
MATERIALS: 10k gold (tests), glass, hair work on ivory or velum
AGE: c. 1790
CONDITION: Very good
SIZE: 6.25, can be resized; 5/8" x 1/2" head, 1.5mm shank